DeMeco Ryans to Alabama would be huge defensively if it wants to pull it

So many familiar faces are back at the University of Alabama, as they intend on helping Nick Saban return to the College Football Playoff and win his sixth national title for the Tide.

Of the names that were contacted, considered, or placed in the rumor mill, former Alabama linebacker DeMeco Ryans was not one of them.

A unanimous All-American and first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection in 2005, Ryans guided the program to a 10-2 season that year (before sanctions) and came close to positioning it for a national championship.

His hand print and cleat print in enshrined at Denny Chimes as a team captain.